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Last December, devastating forest fires in Patagonia’s popular Torres del Paine National Park consumed 42,000 acres of forest in ten days and forced the temporary evacuation of hundreds of hikers. But according to leading adventure tour operator, Active South America, Patagonia tourism hardly missed a beat and the forest isn’t the only thing that’s seeing growth in the region.

Sea kayaking Patagonia

Absolutely phenomenal! Having previously travelled with Active, we knew we could expect another trip of a lifetime, but we had no idea just how unforgettable it would be.

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Adventure tourism in Patagonia, South America, appears to be stronger than ever despite devastating forest fires in Torres del Paine, one of its main tourist attractions, less than a year ago. Active South America, who operates small-group Patagonia tours, report their advanced bookings for the upcoming hiking season (from November though March) are the best they’ve seen, with the first of nine scheduled trips already full and the remainder almost all confirmed and filling quickly.

“I’ve had lots of people calling up recently wanting to go to Patagonia,” says Darren Hill, a travel specialist at Active South America. “I’m not surprised since we’ve had such incredible feedback. Almost half of our clients described their Condor trip as ‘5/5: Awesome, trip of a lifetime’ and another 43 percent said it was ‘4/5: Good, really enjoyed it’ – so word must be getting out!” said Hill.

Margaret Fraser-Martin, who travelled to Patagonia with Active South America in February said, “I had the most amazing time of my life. I did everything I wanted to do and more with people who were strangers on the first day and firm friends by the second day. Everybody was climbing and hiking many mountains together – the physical ones and the life ones, and we all did it together.”

Although some 42,000 acres of forest in Torres del Paine National Park was consumed in a December blaze, it didn’t seem to dampen Patagonia’s popularity on the adventure travel circuit. Active South America began offering an alternate route within the park once it reopened in January, and will likely continue taking their clients to the Badar Valley while the extensive reforestation program is underway to replant one million trees over the next five years.

Julie Gliesing (San Antonio, Texas), who also travelled to Patagonia with Active South America in February, said “Our trip down to Chile and Argentina was absolutely phenomenal! Having previously travelled down to New Zealand with Active, we knew we could certainly expect another trip of a lifetime, but we had no idea just how unforgettable it would be.”

About Active South America:
Active South America is part of Active Adventures, a New Zealand-based tour operator specializing in bucket list travel. Active South America tours include small group adventures in Patagonia, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Peru for outdoorsy people who appreciate 5-star service more than luxurious accommodations. Active Adventures also offers several New Zealand tours and trekking in Nepal. Call Darren to discuss travel in South America or request a free brochure on 800.661.9073.